Proving Lp(a) lowering improves cardiovascular outcomes remains the field's next urgent challenge, a Dutch review of current Lp(a) therapies (J Lipid Res 2016)

Original title: Current therapies for lowering lipoprotein (a)

J Lipid Res · 4 December 2015 · 5

van Capelleveen JC, van der Valk FM, Stroes ES

This review by van Capelleveen, van der Valk and Stroes (Amsterdam UMC) surveys past and present therapies aimed at lowering Lp(a), a plasma lipoprotein composed of an apoB core plus the unique glycoprotein apo(a). Since the strong association between elevated Lp(a) and increased cardiovascular disease risk was recognised, interest in therapeutically modulating Lp(a) has grown, though existing agents have shown varying degrees of success in lowering it. The authors argue the next major challenge is proving that Lp(a) lowering itself translates into cardiovascular benefit for patients with elevated Lp(a), and call for highly specific, potent Lp(a)-lowering strategies to be developed urgently to answer this question.

Original abstract

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a human plasma lipoprotein with unique structural and functional characteristics. Lp(a) is an assembly of two components: a central core with apoB and an additional glycoprotein, called apo(a). Ever since the strong association between elevated levels of Lp(a) and an increased risk for CVD was recognized, interest in the therapeutic modulation of Lp(a) levels has increased. Here, the past and present therapies aiming to lower Lp(a) levels will be reviewed, demonstrating that these agents have had varying degrees of success. The next challenge will be to prove that Lp(a) lowering also leads to cardiovascular benefit in patients with elevated Lp(a) levels. Therefore, highly specific and potent Lp(a)-lowering strategies are awaited urgently.

Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.